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Since 1995, Somers has published his zineThe Inner Swine[1] and has been a prolific contributor to alt.zines. The 21st century has seen Somers's transformation from an observational essayist into a science fiction writer of no small talent, "a gifted craftsman"[2] with a "funky wit."[3] His first novel, Lifers was soon followed by the dystopian Avery Cates series. His novels are published in the US and the UK by Orbit Books.[4] Somers has also been called one of the "promising lesser lights"[5] of mystery writing.

According to one critic, Jeff Somers' first novel Lifers has an "undernourished plot,"[12] although the same critic praises Somers's character observations.

Somers' novel The Electric Church was widely praised on its publication. Booklist wrote, "Somers' stunning debut introduces one of the genre's most promising newcomers."[citation needed]Library Journal called it "a dark future of high tech and low dreams in an action-filled noir thriller reminiscent of Blade Runner."[13]Publishers Weekly praised the characters but was less enthusiastic about the plot, writing, "Somers's [sic] plot sprints along through the nicely detailed (if slightly unoriginal) world, but the characters are the real prize in this entertaining near-future noir."[14]

In 2009 one of Somers' short stories Drum Trial was selected as 1st Runner Up for Best Science Fiction Story 2500 to 6999 words in the "Best Of" contest from Strange, Weird & Wonderful Magazine.[15]